UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has hired a personal trainer to help him get fit and lose weight, after acknowledging that he was 'too fat' when he caught COVID-19 earlier this year.

Johnson has appointed Harry Jameson, a coach who has a regular shot on a BBC radio show and has in the past worked with reality show celebrities. They've been photographed running together near Westminster and Johnson is said to be taking the challenge of losing weight seriously.

On his personal website, Jameson says that, through his HJ Consultancy, he works with "forward-thinking businesses to implement wellness plans that increase staff engagement, productivity and longevity".

Johnson – a new dad to baby Wilfred – was admitted to intensive care with COVID-19 in April and was said to have been seriously ill at the time, although he didn't require a ventilator.

Since his hospital visit, the PM has repeatedly referred to his desire to get fit and recently told reporters at a gathering how he has been steadily building up his fitness.

In July, Johnson announced a new national campaign to "encourage millions of adults to kick start their health" and reduce their risk of serious illness, including COVID-19.

The campaign – unveiled as part of the government’s obesity Strategy – encourages adults to introduce changes that will help them work towards a healthier weight, with a suite of free tools and apps supporting people to eat better, drink less alcohol and get physically active.